Alarm bells over development

Mayor Bob Abbot and Queensland premier Anna Bligh are at odds over sustainable development on the Coast.

Palmview is on the outskirts of the Sunshine Coast but it looks like being the battleground for the region as the State Government, with a focus on growth, takes on the council trying to honour its commitment of a sustainable future.

The council has called on residents to send a clear message to the government about their vision for the region’s future.

The call follows the government’s scrapping of some of the council’s sustainability measures for the planned Palmview development, including changing the recommended maximum population to a minimum target, and reducing the buffer to the Bruce Highway from 200 metres to 80 metres.

Mayor Bob Abbot said this was a “make or break” development, and would have major repercussions for the entire Sunshine Coast.

“The government’s decision to considerably reduce vegetation buffers in some areas, scrap energy provisions and make our maximum population for the area a minimum target is deeply worrying,” Mr Abbot said. 

“We are also very concerned that they have chosen to use the term ‘infrastructure arrangements’ rather than ‘infrastructure agreements’, which suggests a less than iron-clad guarantee that the infrastructure will be in place when it’s needed.”

The council has also been instructed to remove the requirement for a master plan application to include an integrated water cycle management plan, energy management plan, sustainable transport plan, affordable living plan and economic impact assessment report.

Regional strategy and planning head Vivien Griffin said the government’s changes to the original plans should set alarm bells ringing for every resident who backed the council’s aim to create a sustainable future for the region.

Planning minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the government welcomed debate about the future of the Palmview development.

“The State Government has always planned to share growth around in the south-east Queensland region and the Sunshine Coast is expected to play its part,” he said.

“The Sunshine Coast will gain just 13% of the regional growth, behind the share for places like the Gold Coast (19%) and Ipswich (16%).”

Submissions regarding the proposed Palmview Structure Plan must be received by the council by April 19.

All submissions will be reviewed and a report prepared and sent to the government by June 17.

The minister will then “reconsider state interests” and advise the council on July 8, to adopt the plan by July 29.

Submissions may be lodged in person, by mail, online or by email.

For more information and to comment online, visit the council website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.